Container retaining device

Abstract

A bucket holder is provided with a handle portion for ergonomically carrying and holding a bucket during transportation and use. The body portion is comprised of a surface pressed up against the can, while a hook opposite from the surface holds the bail in tension, using gravity and distance between the surface and the hook to maintain tension. The holder has at least one surface that can be pressed up against the can, allowing more than one position for the handle to be located.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 793,342 filed Mar. 15, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]This present disclosure relates to devices to ergonomically hold buckets with handles, specifically a paint bucket with a wire bail. Painting frequently requires the user to twist and hold their bodies in many positions, while at the same time, hold a bucket full of paint along with a wet paint brush. Frequently, the holding and carrying a bucket in various positions can cause fatigue, especially when the bail provided on the bucket is a relatively thin metal wire. Professional painters can suffer anywhere from various levels of discomfort to repetitive stress injuries. There are devices currently on the market that are designed to improve the ergonomics of painting by connecting to the bail and the bucket in some fashion and providing some sort ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0003]The present disclosure describes a device for securely holding a common paint bucket using the outside surface of the can and the bail, but can apply to other storage vessels and containers that have a handle and an outside surface. By keeping one surface of the holder against the outside surface of the bucket on one side of the holder and keeping the bucket bail in tension by the opposite side of the holder, it is possible to use a more easily gripped device to hold the bucket. The present invention allows the holding device to be installed in various positions that allow easier access to the bucket's opening. It is also possible to securely hold the device to a ladder in several positions, allowing the user flexibility not present in anything currently available. The holding device provides comfort and control when painters are using the lower thumb web gripping area. Unlike other container gripping devices for use with the thumb, the device's lower gripping area does not force the thumb to be crushed against the side of the can. The device is uniquely able to offer both upper and lower gripping options at the same time which is useful for switching hands. The user can also attach the device to multiple bucket styles. Other marketed handles cannot be installed on cans with exterior lips and even a slight motion of the handle toward the container opening will result in disengagement of these marketed handles from the adjacent installed position. The holding device solves this dangerous limitation by providing a surface that can snap under an exterior lip which creates a strong device attachment by holding the bail at a specific distance below the lip and adjacent to the can creating a strong tension in the bail and compressing the device strongly against the can. Additional features of the device allow buckets with an external lip to be held in various positions. The device can be rotated so the bucket can be held at different angles, thereby increasing the painter's comfort. By attaching a magnet to part of the device, it makes it easier to temporarily but securely store a paint brush or paint scraper over the bucket while the user is moving from one area to another, taking a break, or doing something that requires a free hand. The device can be used with alternate bucket designs, such as buckets with an external lip.

Problems solved by technology

Other marketed handles cannot be installed on cans with exterior lips and even a slight motion of the handle toward the container opening will result in disengagement of these marketed handles from the adjacent installed position.

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